Contact the ABDO LAW FIRM in Clinton Township if you are charged with any property crime. You may be able to fight the charges and obtain a dismissal if you have a clean record. In Michigan, the crime of stealing from a store is often called "larceny" or "shoplifting". The present Michigan laws which cover stealing from a merchant, obtaining a fraudulent refund or price tag switching are covered under the Retail Fraud statutes. The penalties for retail fraud are as follows:

Retail Fraud First Degree: If the value of the merchandise is $1,000.00 or more, the punishment is up to 5 years in prison and/or fine up to $10,000.00, or 3 times the value of merchandise.

Retail Fraud Second Degree: If the value of the merchandise is $200 but under $1,000.00, the punishment is up to 2 years in prison and/or fine up to $2,000.00, or 3 times the value of merchandise.

Retail Fraud Third Degree: If the value of the merchandise is under $200, the punishment is up to 93 days in jail and/or fine up to $500.00, or 3 times the value of merchandise.

In addition to the above criminal penalties, a person convicted of retail fraud faces civil liability to the merchant for money damages.

A property crime or retail fraud conviction can be embarrassing and a barrier to employment and education opportunities. In Macomb County, a plea bargain can be negotiated for first offenders to have a retail fraud case taken under advisement and dismissed upon compliance after a period of time set by the court.

The ABDO LAW FIRM will provide legal representation for all adults and juveniles charged with any felony or misdemeanor property crime including retail fraud, larceny, false pretenses, embezzlement, uttering and publishing, check fraud, malicious destruction of property, credit card fraud or stolen property crimes.